The Conservative Party wants the UK to stay in the EU but in a more flexible EU, and with a more sustainable relationship. David Cameron is right to say that Europe must change and the EU needs to serve the interests of the British people much better. Now is the time to have a real debate over what our relationship with the EU should be in the future.

The status quo in Britain’s relationship with the EU is no longer an option. Britain was right not to join the euro, and I hope it never will.

However, the Eurozone is moving towards fiscal and banking union, and this is not a path that the British people will go down. Fundamental change is inevitable, and it is right that we seek to negotiate a deal that promotes our national interest.

The Prime Minister set out the changes that he wants to see: a more competitive, flexible, less bureaucratic EU with powers returned from Brussels to Member States.

National parliaments are the real source of democratic accountability in the EU, and changes must be introduced to ensure fairness for all Member States, euro and non-euro, within the single market. He is right to set out these principles in order to help create an EU, and a UK within it, that can compete and win in the global race.

And when significant changes occur, it is also right that the British people are given the opportunity to decide the nature of the UK’s future relationship with the EU. The Labour government denied the people that choice under the Lisbon Treaty negotiations and that was hugely damaging.

The argument from Labour and Liberal Democrats that the promise of a referendum creates uncertainty and may deter business investment is false. The uncertainty exists anyway, in part due to the fundamental changes taking place in the eurozone, and in part due to changes in public attitudes to the EU.

Secondly, it is plain wrong to deny the people a voice on this vitally important issue. It shows they don’t trust the people to have a say. Thirdly, far from creating more uncertainty, the Prime Minister has set out a clear timetable for renegotiation and reform.

There is now a clear choice for the country: under a Conservative government, the UK will negotiate a new settlement with the EU and voters will be given a say on whether to accept the new settlement or leave the EU. A straight forward in / out referendum.

I believe the country will unite behind this approach. Simon Walker, Director General of the Institute of Directors, described the approach as "realistic and pragmatic”. John Longworth, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce stated recently “Britain's business community, many of whom export, wants to see real and substantive change in our relationship with the European Union.”

I’m confident this position will help the Conservative Party win the next general election. We can then focus our efforts on a robust but achievable renegotiation to establish a relationship with Europe that the majority of British people are comfortable with at last.